Tickets are still available for the EXCEL Foundation's Big Event.

The annual fundraiser supports the nonprofit foundation's grant program, which provides thousands of dollars each year for classroom innovations in Coeur d'Alene public schools.

The Big Event takes place at 5 p.m. Saturday at the Best Western Plus Coeur d'Alene Inn, 506 W. Appleway Ave. Tickets are $50 and can be purchased online at www.excelfoundation.org or by calling 765-9500.

This year, the EXCEL Foundation distributed $110,000 to support 78 classroom grants.

Hands-on learning made possible by these grants has already begun. Students across the district are using the latest graphic arts tools, reading nonfiction books to help connect them with global wonders, experimenting with new science and lab lenses, and incorporating music, math and reading through dancing fingers.

In the past 25 years the EXCEL Foundation has awarded $1,183,826 to teachers to support classroom projects that would not be funded with ongoing school maintenance dollars. EXCEL funding is meant to improve the learning experience of students and encourage teachers with creative approaches to education.

Grants are not awarded based on particular areas of emphasis or rigid criteria. Instead, the EXCEL board seeks unique and inventive ideas which will increase students' motivation to learn while developing higher-level thinking skills and depth of knowledge.